Culture clash

Suffering from writer’s block and need a change of scene? Here are three magnificent houses where bestsellers were written – and you can even rent some by the day:

Goldeneye, Jamaica

Ian Fleming, a British ex-spy, wrote all 14 of his James Bond novels here in the Caribbean – and even designed the villa himself. theflemingvilla.com

Naulakha, Vermont/USA

Rudyard Kipling didn’t actually write the legendary Jungle Book in India, but in the U.S. He nicked the name of his villa there from a marble pavilion in Lahore, the still part of India. The villa sleeps eight people. landmarktrustusa.org

Royal Albion Hotel, England

Charles Dickens adored Broadstairs, a seaside resort in Kent, and spent many summers at the Royal Albion Hotel. A Dickens Festival is being held here in his honor from 21 through 23 June. albionbroadstairs.co.uk

Walk back in time

The Great Himalaya Trail, Silk Road, Way of St. Jacob: The guidebook 500 Walks covers the oldest long-distance trails and walks around the world. An ideal companion for all avid hikers, it provides detailed routes and plenty of entertaining facts.